How ‘Girls Who Click’ Empowers Younger Girls in Nature Photography

Girls Who Click (GWC), a San Francisco Bay Area–based mostly nonprofit based by award-winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas, has opened purposes for its flagship Ambassador Mentorship Program, with entries accepted till October 13. The group is devoted to serving to younger women and girls turn into highly effective, influential nature photographers.

Dedicated to empowering younger ladies in nature pictures, GWC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives free workshops for teen women and a mentorship program for rising feminine and female-identifying photographers. At its core, the group is based on a easy but highly effective perception: that the subsequent era of photographers ought to mirror the range of the world they seize.

GWC Chief Operating Officer Sima Safavi-Bayat shared her imaginative and prescient and mission for the 2026 Ambassador Cohort Year with PetaPixel.

“Our vision is to empower girls to break into the male-dominated field of nature photography, using their talents to inspire global conservation efforts,” says Safavi-Bayat.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Since its founding, Girls Who Click has partnered with skilled photographers throughout the U.S. to offer free hands-on and digital workshops for women ages 13–18. These workshops introduce teenagers to the basics of nature pictures whereas encouraging them to see themselves as each storytellers and conservation advocates. The Ambassador Program takes the subsequent step by supporting individuals ages 16–30 who’re able to develop as professionals.

“The Girls Who Click Ambassador Program is designed to uplift young female and female-identified+ nature photographers and videographers ages 16–30 by pairing them with professional mentors who help them build portfolios, gain industry insights, and grow their confidence within a supportive international community,” Safavi-Bayat explains.

While the workshops spark early curiosity, the Ambassador Program gives a structured pathway towards skilled development, equipping individuals to thrive in an trade the place ladies stay underrepresented.

Mentorship and Structure

Each Ambassador is paired with knowledgeable mentor rigorously chosen to match their particular person targets and strengths by means of extremely personalised, versatile, and responsive interactions. The mentorship lasts 9 months and consists of month-to-month one-on-one conferences in addition to bi-monthly group classes the place the whole cohort gathers.

“Each mentorship is uniquely tailored, mentees bring different goals, mentors bring different strengths, and we carefully pair them for the best fit. Ambassadors meet with their mentors at least once a month, virtually or in person, and also join bi-monthly group sessions where all mentors and mentees connect,” Safavi-Bayat says.

These group classes typically embrace breakout actions based mostly on mentee recommendations, making certain this system evolves consistent with individuals’ wants.

Professional Growth Beyond the Lens

The Ambassador Program goes past technical coaching, recognizing that success in pictures additionally is determined by skilled growth. Ambassadors have entry to sponsored gear, profession steerage, publishing alternatives, and group platforms the place their work might be shared. The curriculum additionally emphasizes much less tangible however equally necessary expertise: confidence, networking, and self-presentation.

“We’ve created an environment where participants can strengthen soft skills, like building relationships and pitching, that aren’t as easily ‘google-able’ as technical skills,” Safavi-Bayat says.

Ambassadors additionally set S.M.A.R.T. targets as a cohort firstly of the 12 months, making certain they method their initiatives with readability and route. From refining portfolios to constructing web sites, pitching tales, or growing pricing sheets, individuals achieve sensible instruments for long-term careers.

One Ambassador, Maggie Seida, described this system as transformative:

“The ambassadorship has given me a community where I can celebrate wins, share challenges, and learn alongside others in a truly supportive space. Beyond encouragement, it offers practical tools, like guidance on networking, building a website, and creating pricing sheets, that break down the ‘where do I start’ barrier and make this field feel more accessible.”

Projects and Creative Pathways

Ambassadors’ initiatives range broadly, reflecting the range of individuals’ backgrounds and ambitions. Many refine pictures or videography portfolios, whereas others apply their expertise in conservation-related fields corresponding to wildfire administration or environmental analysis.

The program additionally helps photographers pursuing a number of revenue streams, recognizing that sustainable careers typically contain combining inventive, business, and conservation work.

“Projects often include refining photography/videography portfolios, developing confident pitches, strengthening storytelling through writing and imagery, applying technical skills to careers in environmental fields like research or wildfire management, and exploring ways to make a living by pursuing multiple creative and professional avenues,” Safavi-Bayat says.

Building a Global Community

Community stays on the coronary heart of Girls Who Click’s work. In addition to formal mentorship, Ambassadors join by means of WhatsApp teams, month-to-month group hangouts, and peer-to-peer help networks that proceed all year long. These connections typically outlast this system itself.

“The program fosters community and networking by providing monthly virtual group sessions where Ambassadors connect with each other and with all mentors, alternating between Ambassador-only hangouts and broader meet-and-greets which include the Partner Photographers who are mentors. These spaces build trust, comfort, and shared support among like-minded peers pursuing similar goals,” Safavi-Bayat explains.

This sense of belonging gives each encouragement and accountability, giving individuals a supportive basis as they navigate their careers.

Alumni Outcomes and Leadership

The program has already seen highly effective outcomes. Many Ambassadors keep engaged past their first 12 months, taking over management roles inside the group. Some mentor new cohorts, write weblog posts, or lead workshops. In reality, a number of alumnae have transitioned from mentees to mentors themselves. This cycle of mentorship exemplifies the group’s broader mission: fostering a self-sustaining community of ladies who help and uplift each other in a subject that has traditionally excluded them.

“Three of our long-standing Ambassadors became Partner Photographers and mentors: Chelsea Mayer, Kate Vylet and Lana Tannir,” Safavi-Bayat says.

Advice for Applicants

For these contemplating making use of, the group encourages ardour, authenticity, and readability of targets. While a sophisticated portfolio is just not required, candidates ought to current a physique of labor that displays each their present capacity and their storytelling imaginative and prescient.

“For prospective applicants, passion is the foundation, showing your enthusiasm is key, but having a clear goal will help guide your growth in the program. A strong portfolio doesn’t mean you’re already at the top; we value your current work alongside images that highlight your storytelling and match your application, giving us a fuller picture of who you are,” Safavi-Bayat says.

Applicants who aren’t accepted are reminded that the choice is just not a mirrored image of their expertise, creativity, or potential, however fairly the fact of restricted program capability and the big variety of inspiring submissions obtained every year.

“If you’re not accepted, know it’s not a reflection of your talent or hard work—there simply aren’t enough slots for all the amazing applicants. Keep creating, growing, and engaging with Girls Who Click in other ways,” Safavi-Bayat says.

Looking Ahead

Girls Who Click continues to increase its attain with a transparent mission and imaginative and prescient on the coronary heart of its work. The group’s mission is to encourage a brand new era of feminine nature photographers and conservationists who use their skills to make a significant affect. Its imaginative and prescient appears additional forward, aiming to empower women to interrupt into the historically male-dominated subject of nature pictures and to make use of their expertise to encourage world conservation efforts.

With its free workshops and the increasing Ambassador Program, the group is shaping a future the place the subsequent era of photographers not solely paperwork the pure world but in addition performs a central function in defending it.

Applications for the Girls Who Click 2026 Ambassador Cohort Year are open now till October 13.

Image credit: Girls Who Click